Old Hastings Preservation Society was founded in 1952 to promote the permanent preservation of buildings of beauty/historic interest, especially in Hastings & St. Leonards and foster an appreciation of the history of Hastings. We encourage and record research which supports our objectives. Good architecture, design and town planning is encouraged. In 1956 we founded the Hastings Fishermen’s Museum open daily in Rock-a-Nore Road and more recently Hastings History House.
Friday 8 July 2016
Saturday 2 July 2016
Rocklands controversial holiday home will be allowed to stay, a planning inspector has ruled.
Chris Hurrell, spokesman for SEG, said: “Despite the massive unpopularity of the bunker with the public, the inspector has allowed the building to remain subject to a few cosmetic changes.
“The height of the roof will be reduced by 400mm and the balconies will be reduced in depth by 1,000mm. The rest of the building will be allowed to remain as is. “This is a very disappointing result.”
SEG said the building has destroyed the natural beauty of the surrounding area.
- Rocklands appealed against Hastings Borough Council’s enforcement notice to destroy the building overlooking Ecclesbourne Glen more than a year ago.
- In March last year it submitted a planning application asking for the retention of the holiday let, which was refused.
- In June 2014 the council unanimously threw out Rocklands’ retrospective planning application to make alterations to the controversial building. The original building itself was granted planning permission in 2012.
“Ecclesbourne Glen issues are not just about the bunker. Our objective was to protect the beautiful vistas across the country park and many issues remain unresolved.
“We are still very concerned about the landslip that has shut access from the East Hill and is a visual scar on the glen. We are pressing the council to carry out further investigations.”
http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/mobile/news/local/campaigners-anger-over-decision-on-hastings-holiday-let-1-7443089#ixzz4D9U98rM0
Friday 1 July 2016
Sunday 12 June 2016
Hastings Borough Council effectively lost their case against Rocklands’ appeal - the inspector’s decision was published this week.
No more news, currently. Will be updated when there is more information.
Wednesday 8 June 2016
Dee-Day White and Tush Hamilton are on the verge of bringing (another) lost lifeboat back to Hastings again.
Following their restoration of the Priscilla MacBean lifeboat, which was discovered as a rotting hulk in Eastbourne and is now on permanent show in the Old Town.
Now they are set to bring home a former Hastings lifeboat which earned the legend ‘The Ghost of Dunkirk’
The Cyril and Lilian Bishop lifeboat, which saved 34 lives in Hastings during the 1930’s, spent four days and four nights rescuing British and French soldiers from the beaches during the evacuation of Dunkirk in World War 2.
“She is best known and earned her nickname ‘The Ghost of Dunkirk when in late May 1940 the Dunkirk evacuation needed shallow draught vessels to make their way to Dover and the RNLI was asked to send as many lifeboats as possible and coxswain George Moon quickly called a crew together consisting of Will Martin, Bodger Barton, Jumbo White, Bill Hilder and finally Freddie Button.
“On arrival at Dover George Moon tells us that all the lifeboats were commandeered by the Royal Navy and he and the rest of the crew travelled back to Hastings by train.
Tuesday 7 June 2016
The statue of Prince Albert will be installed by the town hall
In February 2015, a bid put forward by campaigners was refused planning consent by Hastings Borough Council, going against officers’ recommendations.
Members said the statue’s condition was so poor it would not be suitable for display alongside the town hall, which is a Grade-II listed building.
Campaigners submitted an appeal to have the decision overturned, which was successful.
A new heritage group, the Albert Statue Group, was formed early this year to raise funds for the project.
Hastings Lions Club came forward with a generous donation for buying and installing the new Portland stone pedestal on which the statue is to be erected.
There have also been donations from members of the public who are keen to see the long-neglected statue back in the public domain.
Roger Wilcock, of A. C. Towner Ltd has been advising on the project, and he is doing some of the preparatory work free of charge, with consent from his employer Edward Towner, as this is a community project without financial support from the council.
The life-size statue of Prince Albert, sculpted in Portland stone by Edwin Stirling at his Liverpool studio, was saved for the town by Edith Skelton, who bought it from the demolition firm for £50.
Wednesday 25 May 2016
More support needed to keep local treasure afloat
Open 364 days a year and free to enter, the Fishermen’s Museum at Rock-a-Nore is possibly one of the area’s most underrated and fascinating attractions.
It is a treasure trove of exhibits which show the history of the local fishing fleet and our relationship with the sea, having a full sized fishing lugger as its centre piece.
But the volunteer run museum, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this month, is in desperate need of financial support if it is to continue opening as it currently does.
“If everyone who came in donated just £1 we would be in a healthy position”
The museum is housed in the former Fishermen’s Church, built on the Stade in 1852, which fell out of use after the Second World War.
Hastings Fishermen’s Museum opened on May 17 1956.
Monday 23 May 2016
Latest Stories from The Cemetery
- Balcombe, Charles Edward local; died WW1, 1917
- Davis, W E; died (Cooden Camp) WW1 1916
- Gale, Frank -
local; died WW1 1917 - Helsdown, James Arthur -
fishermen, drowned off Fairlight (PioneerRX255) - Muggridge, Harry Daniel -
Skipper on the Pioneer RX255, drowned off Fairlight - Russell, George Edward -
died WW1 1918. (Served under alias, Longley) - Samways, Alexander, local; died WW1 1916
- Williams, James Frederick -
fishermen, drowned off Fairlight (PioneerRX255)
- Bennett, Samuel James -
well known in local Nonconformist circles
- Considine, Jane -
died in Hastings / O'Clery, Countess Katharine - married and lived in Hastings
- Ransom, William -
founder and first editor of the Hastings and St Leonards News; lifelong friend of Barbara Bodichon.
Saturday 21 May 2016
Friday 20 May 2016
Friends of Hastings Cemetery - Update
- The Cemetery Project has been completed
- The work so far forms a database of names in the older part of the cemetery, sections A -
G. This is available as a CD - We have produced two books available from Hastings History House related to some of the stories we have researched
- The next Cemetery Walk will be on 5th June, 2016. Meet at the Car Park
Wednesday 27 April 2016
Friends of Hastings Cemetery
- Adams, Charles - local fisherman who died of pneumonia while on leave from H.M.S."Island Prince" WW1
- Adams, James & parents Edward & Alice -fishing family; James served in the RAF, WW1
- Jenkins, Peter & Family - local builder
- Thorburn, Charles - hastings resident, died WW1
- Whistler, Anna
- Willis Family
- Lansdell Family: landowners, solicitor, surveyor
- Turner, Thomas - landlord of the Havelock Hotel
Tuesday 26 April 2016
Opening Wednesday 27th April 2016. Hastings Pier Charity is proud to present a new, unique pier for the 21st Century.
VINTAGE FUNFAIR
Presented by: Funtime Rides
Wednesday April 27th - Thursday July 28th
from 10:00am
Come and experience all the fun of the fair on Hastings Pier! Funtime Rides' Vintage Funfair will offer lots of fun and games for adults and children alike. The centrepiece to this event is the beautiful Traditional Carousel.
Saturday 23 April 2016
Sea Shanty Evening with the RX Shantymen
Date/Time
Date(s) - 21/05/2016
6 PM
Location
Hastings Fishermen's Museum
- See more at: http://www.ohps.org.uk/events/sea-shanty-evening-with-the-rx-shantymen/#sthash.HnFc1Nbl.dpuf
The Hastings Fishermen's Museum celebrates 60 years as a museum on 17th May and we would love for you to come and help us celebrate with an evening of shanties, beer and fish rolls!
Food will be available from 6pm and the singing will start at 7pm. Tickets are available from the museum for £8 which includes entry, one
drink (local beer, wine or squash) and a Tush & Pat Fisherman's Roll.
- See more at: http://www.ohps.org.uk/events/sea-shanty-evening-with-the-rx-shantymen/#sthash.HnFc1Nbl.dpuf
Sea Shanty Evening with the RX Shantymen
Date/Time
Date(s) - 21/05/2016
6 PM
Location
Hastings Fishermen's Museum
- See more at: http://www.ohps.org.uk/events/sea-shanty-evening-with-the-rx-shantymen/#sthash.HnFc1Nbl.dpuf
The Hastings Fishermen's Museum celebrates 60 years as a museum on 17th May and we would love for you to come and help us celebrate with an evening of shanties, beer and fish rolls!
Food will be available from 6pm and the singing will start at 7pm. Tickets are available from the museum for £8 which includes entry, one
drink (local beer, wine or squash) and a Tush & Pat Fisherman's Roll.
- See more at: http://www.ohps.org.uk/events/sea-shanty-evening-with-the-rx-shantymen/#sthash.HnFc1Nbl.dpuf